Premier division: 10 things to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new battle
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a ideal grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former scored for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill treatment due to a alleged £65m release clause for his possible mid-season move, the tabloids positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable for a winger who has six finishes and three setups and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an awkward spot, having undergone a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate over their previous two matches after an promising start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa however confronting a backline without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season might be the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise option for the national team
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he is able to offer me,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional striker position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he manages to continue his goal-getting performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals than any other English footballer in the Premier League this term with six and remains eager to add to that total as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back crucial as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side recently following five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last time round. Fulham's next four fixtures take in three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine scores this season to date. Danger looms for the club that have earned a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's squad must have a consistent improvement to enter the title race from their current spot, along with a significant upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus sides presently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent for his club for a month following a groin problem when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition win abroad. He reappeared as a substitute in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but missed the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
